Grigor Dimitrov deserves better. He is known as one of the nicest players on the ATP tour, and one who has had the skill set to reach the top 10 on the ATP, but has never been able to consistently maintain that level. He has had too many injuries.
Unfortunately, he extended his record of losing matches due to retirement at consecutive Grand Slams. Heading into Wimbledon, he had to pull out of four straight going back to the 2024 grass-court major. Most of the injuries were lower-body related. That wasn't the case against Jannik Sinner.
Grigor was playing the top-seed Sinner in the fourth round of Wimbledon, and the Bulgarian was dominating play. He led 6-3 7-5 after two sets, and the third set was tied at 2. Leading 40-15, Dimitrov served but clearly had pain in his right pec. He went to the ground and began laughing, likely at his bad luck.
Snake-bitten Grigor Dimitrov forced to retire against Jannik Sinner in the fourth round at Wimbledon
He went to his chair and was met by the medical team, but it was clear they could do little. He walked to the locker room for a medical timeout, but that did not last long. He walked back onto the court only to retire for a fifth straight major. He was playing well enough that he might have had a chance to reach the final.
Dimitrov's retirement means Sinner, though undeserved, moves on to the quarterfinals where he will face Ben Shelton. Shelton defeated Lorenzo Sonego in the fourth round in four sets. The American hits the ball with as much pace as Dimitrov but does not have the experience of the Bulgarian.
As flat as Sinner was playing against Dimitrov, he probably will not come out the same in the quarterfinals and should be better mentally prepared. He should also consider himself lucky to even be playing Shelton.
Should Sinner go on to win Wimbledon, the match with Dimitrov should be remembered. The Bulgarian was in a very good position to move on except for another injury. The Bulgarian seems unlikely to ever win a major at this point.